Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD

Advantages: Engine, Looks, Leather, Options on my car
Disadvantages: Safety, Reliability Record, Dealership Record

...Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso You probably just don?t understand Alfa's and until you sit in one-you never will? Just bought an Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD 3dr Lusso and on first impressions I?m delighted. It?s Navy Blue in Colour which sets the car off great against the Cream Leather, its a top of the range model and comes with SAT NAV, Cruise Control, Telephone, full heated Leather Upholstery, trip computer, 16inch Alloy wheels etc. The options are great, although not a requirement for everyone-however I would recommend the leather upholstery as a MUST its fantastic. I test drove many cars before buying, yet decided on the Alfa 147, because it put the biggest smile on my face, it was the nicest car to sit in and felt the best to drive by a long way. The Golf mk4 GTi felt its age, and although the Golf mk5 1.6s that I...

Azz4711 26.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD

Alfa 156 - The truth.....

Advantages: Pedigree. Stylish.
Disadvantages: Insurance costs. Depreciation.

...Two years ago I decided to take the plunge and buy something different, and the Alfa had to be the choice. I purchased a 9 month old, low mileage "Lusso" 2.0ltr saloon version. Having still got the vehicle, how`s it stacked up? Read on for a few home truths after 30,000 trouble-free miles..... Initially the style of the car was a great attraction, not to mention the Alfa pedigree of "exclusivity" and relative scarecity (relatively speaking there are few dealers specialising in this marque). The cars lines are unmatched, being very sleek and aesthetically pleasing from all angles - and that front end is so aggesive! My initial impressions upon driving the car were that of a deceptively spacious interior, affording good driving visibility considering its compact and squat exterior looks. I chose the leather trim incidentally which is...

triplenut3 10.11.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

PITY IT WASN'T ALFA RACING RED!

Advantages: Out of the Norm Styling & Performance
Disadvantages: Getting Old Now

...WHAT IS IT? The 147 is Alfa Romeo's compact hatchback, produced in three and five door forms and competing in the Ford Focus / Vauxhall Astra market. This is actually an interesting, diverse and most popular market sector now, outselling all other types of car. The competition is fierce and many of the alternatives, such as the Honda Civic, are new and bang up to date. In 2001 the Alfa 147 was voted European Car of The Year. WHICH SPECIFIC MODEL? The actual car that I am reviewing here is right at the top of the Alfa 147 tree. It is a five door 1.9JTD 150 Lusso. The 1.9JTD 150 has the most powerful two litre version of the now ubiquitous GM (Vauxhall / Saab) engine in it, which was co-developed with Fiat, parent company of Alfa Romeo. IN WHAT CAPACITY AM I REVIEWING THIS CAR? OK, hands up, this is not my own car. This...

RICHADA 11.07.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD

I am the Alfa male. (My 100th review on Ciao)!!

Advantages: Simply an awesome car and driving experience.
Disadvantages: The running costs will put some people off owning one.

...Over the years since first passing my driving test, I have had dozens of cars and since I turned 21 and could get insurance for them most of them have been sports cars of one type or another. I have owned two convertible BMW`s a VW Golf VR6 and several Alfa Romeo`s, with the Alfa Romeos being my favourite cars by a mile. The Alfa Romeo I am Writing about today is the 156, 2.5 V6 24 valve, I have just sold this particular car on in order to buy the newer model of Alfa Romeo but I am missing it badly. Even though the new Alfa is breathtakingly good it just does not seem to have the character and raw power of my old faithful 156. The Alfa Romeo 156 is a very stylish 4 door saloon and because of its hidden rear door handles it looks like a 2 door coupe from a distance. It oozes Italian style both inside and out, with the unique body...

thebigc1690 23.03.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.5

You're not a petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa.

Advantages: Fantastic driving experience, high quality finish, that growl
Disadvantages: Bad image regards reliability, some niggles

...I purchased my Alfa 147 in 2005 after falling in love with the noise she makes. Nothing has the same growl as an alfa. When I bought my 147 she was already 3 years old, and is nearly 6 now. I spend a lot of time driving each week for work, around 300 miles a week in fact, so I have experience of her on all kinds of roads and journeys. The first thing to be mentioned when I think of my car is the ride quality. I'm informed by passengers that she is very comfortable in the back, and doesn't make them feel sick. However as a driver she has nearly ruined my back. This is down to the fact that I live in a right hand drive country, and the car was designed to be left hand drive. Because of this nothing quite lines up correctly. Most importantly my seat is not straight on to the steering wheel, meaning my back is wrapped around the outer edge...

Dinah93 19.11.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

Alfa Romeo...the emotive choice

Advantages: Beautiful to hear, beautiful to look at.
Disadvantages: Fuel economy, Back seat room, Lack of folding rear seats

...I recently passed my driving test (2nd attempt at age 35). To me this milestone (for a soon to be first time father) wasn't about practicality, fuel economy or any other of the usual considerations you should make when purchasing probably the second most expensive item you own. This is because I'd already seen the car I wanted...The Alfa Romeo 156 TwinSpark. I'd looked at the Which reports and many many other publications and if I was honest with myself (and my wife Emma...sorry dear) I should have purchased a Ford Focus. A car which has great styling, a good reliability record and reasonable servicing. But no...as I say, the decision had long since been made, and I positively drooled at the sight of 156's whenever I saw one. So after a long search I found the model I was looking for...a shiny Black 1.6 litre (Insurance being...

Stevejames 22.04.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 Twin Spark

Don't believe all you hear about Alfa Romeo

Advantages: Eye catching looks - relatively rare
Disadvantages: Other peoples perceptions

...I purchased my 1.6 Lusso in June 2002 from a car supermarket. I had been torn bewteen the 147 and the new Mini. I visited both dealers - the Alfa dealer was keen but couldn't come down to my price, whilst the Mini dealer was very much "I can sell 10 of these tomorrow - why should I bother trying to help you!". Frustrated I visited a car supermarket and was somewhat bewildered by the choice on offer. I would strongly recommend it to anyone - even if you don't buy from them. Seeing the car in full colour beats trying to imagine it from the 2 inch square card in the showroom. The supermarket offered a favourable rate on my car and at £12,300 it was £2300 less than list. I picked it up a few days later and was suprised to wait in-line for the keys along with about 10 other people collecting at that time. Once they hand over...

CarNut 23.12.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

It will be remembered as one of Alfa's best...

Advantages: design, quality, timelessness, engine, handling
Disadvantages: second hand value

...The car is a driver's car for sure. Great handling, great engine, fun driving, agile, faster than most 1.6 engines. The design is magnificent. Some other brands have copied bits of its design later on. Alfa 147, winner of European Car of the Year Award 2001, has a lifetime of 7 years by now which proves the success of the model. Alfa 147 looks good inside as much as it looks good outside. The material quality and feel is high. The hidden door knob gives the coupe impression and is a nice little detail that now Seat Leon uses. I think Alfa 147 will be one of the cAlfa's icon models in the future. I now own a Hyundai Coupe and i love its looks too, but a part of me wants to go back to my Alfista days. Rumor has it, Alfa 147 won't be with us by the year 2009. Hope newcomer 149 will alsobe a true hot hatch...

Borracho 03.03.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

My first Alfa and I'm in Love!

Advantages: Driving experience, looks and style
Disadvantages: A few minor niggles and a little paranoia from negative reviews

...Buying an Alfa 156 is one of the best decisions I've made in a long time! Fair enough, I'm only about a month into it, but so far everything I've been told about the superb Alfa driving experience is true. I bought my 156 from a car supermarket, and still feel like I've got a hell of a deal when I look at how much car I've got for not much money. It's just over 2 years old, and regularly elicits amazed comments from friends when I give them lifts and they find out how much the car cost. The interior, while not by any means the height of luxury, is still way more impressive than practically any other car in its class, with sumptuous grey leather, and the often mentioned classic sports styling of the dash, which only improves at night when the dials light up! My Lusso came with a Radio/CD front loader, electric windows all-round, electric...

JohnnyMaher123 19.05.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

Very disappointed in my Alfa - don't buy

Advantages: Looks great, loads of extras, high level of safety equipment
Disadvantages: appalling build quality, expensive repairs, few dealers

...Having always wanted an Alfa Romeo I was thrilled when the 147 came out. Bought as an ex demonstator Feb 2001.I have had so many problems with it that I have again contacted Alfa UK and will have to sell the car very soon as I've had enough of things going wrong. Things were not good right from the start: It failed its PDI as the odometer read 6000 when new Both leather seats replaced as stitching too tight and leather was going to split Both electric windows have stuck in 'down' position No heat guard fitted Gearbox problems - difficulty selecting gear, often no neutral could be found, when leaving motorways no gears could be selected, select first and it went forwards! Problem since resolved by second dealer I took it to about this Bonnet would not shut Bonnet would not open Boot regularly will not release on key, remote...

Barrichello 25.03.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alfa Romeo 147 1.6